Plastics Reductions & Safer Plastics
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Reducing plastic use and safer plastics
Measuring and reducing plastics in the healthcare sector
This resources provides data on plastic use in the healthcare sector and successful case studies of reducing plastics. The publication gives you practical steps on how to measure data for your own healthcare facility’s plastic consumption to support a compelling, evidence-based case for taking action on plastic in healthcare.
Webinar | How to reduce the impact of plastics in healthcare
Health Care Without Harm Europe organized a webinar on the topic of reducing the impact of plastics in healthcare. The session featured presentations from experts and discusses plastics’ environmental and health impacts from production, use, and disposal, the waste hierarchy and highlight the best solutions, and highlight what healthcare professionals can do to reduce plastic and its health and environmental impacts. The webinar is available for viewing in five languages: English, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Greek. This continuing education activity has been approved by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) for the award of International Continuing Nursing Education Credits (ICNECs).
Towards PVC-free healthcare: Reducing environmental impact and exposure to harmful chemicals
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) poses serious risks to our health and our environment during its production, use, and disposal. Despite this threat to health, PVC can be found throughout healthcare in IV bags, tubing, examination gloves, and other healthcare products – even in flooring, food packaging, and office supplies. Plasticised PVC in healthcare is a significant source of exposure to harmful plasticisers. This report by HCWH Europe provides a comprehensive overview of these risks and highlights the steps that healthcare providers are already taking towards a PVC-free future.
Polyvinyl chloride in health care: A rationale for alternatives
This report by Health Care Without Harm distills current research to reveal the human and environmental impacts of PVC from production to end-of-life. It details the human health risks posed by chemicals of concern associated with the production of PVC and toxic additives such as DEHP. It also explores the pollution associated with traditional methods of disposal and recycling. The report also offers a summary of recent research about alternatives.
Reusables and repurposing
Non-toxic healthcare: Alternatives to phthalates and bisphenol A in medical devices (2nd edition)
This second edition of this report by HCWH Europe’s work to raise awareness about the presence of hazardous substances in medical devices and the consequent risks to patients. This report also contains a new chapter specifically examining the health impact of plastics in healthcare. Modern healthcare makes use of a wide range of plastic-based medical products to provide high quality and effective treatment to patients. As a consequence high volumes of plastic single-use products and complex plastic composites are routinely used by the European health sector and it is becoming increasingly important to understand the impact these materials have on human health.
Plastics and health – An urgent environmental, climate and health issue
Health Care Without Harm lays out eight health needs to remain a central part of the discussions as the world develops and adopts an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
DEHP in IV tubing
Toxic Free IV: Getting Harmful Chemicals out of IV Bags and IV Tubing
This August 2024 report by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners outlines the toxicity of DEHP, a phthalate that leaches out of the plastic IV bags and tubing into the medicine and fluids being transfused. DEHP is a potent endocrine disruptor linked to many adverse health effects, including breast and other cancers, developmental and reproductive effects including lowered male fertility, metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, and brain development issues including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The report covers opportunities for nursing action.
What is di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)?
This August 2026 article from the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments explains the health risks associated with DEHP, an endocrine-disrupting chemical used to make plastic IV bags and tubing flexible. Despite decades of research linking DEHP exposure to reproductive, developmental, and other endocrine-related harms, it remains legal in medical devices in 48 states. The article highlights successful bans in California and North Carolina, similar legislation introduced in other states, and opportunities for nurses to advocate for safer, cost-effective DEHP-free medical products.
Plastics reduction case studies
Royal College of Nursing’s Gloves Off Campaign
In the UK the NHS alone contributes 4 – 5% of the country’s emissions, and plastic gloves, made using fossil fuels, are one of the most common single-use plastic items in healthcare. The RCN-led Gloves Off campaign works to change behavior by reducing unnecessary glove use. This campaign site includes resources and information about sustainable and healthy glove use.